Alabama's lemon law and your rights as a buyer

What the lemon law protects, what it doesn't, and what rights you keep when you buy used. With the state's exact deadlines.

This guide summarizes the recorded scope for Alabama (Code of Ala. 1975, Título 8, chapter 20A (§§ 8-20A-1 a 8-20A-6)). Eligibility, deadlines and notice requirements depend on the law and applicable coverage; read the state conditions below, including used-vehicle conditions where relevant.

What it covers

A new or previously untitled motor vehicle bought in substantial part for personal, family or household use, with a warranty defect that significantly impairs its use, value or safety. The consumer is the buyer (not for resale) and also anyone else the written warranty itself lets enforce it (§ 8-20A-1(1), (6)).

Rights period: 1 year or 12,000 miles from original delivery, whichever comes first (the "lemon law rights period"). You must report the defect within that period. The maker must keep repairing it up to 24 months or 24,000 miles.

When it is presumed a lemon

Within 24 months or 24,000 miles: three or more attempts to fix the same defect (at least one within the first year/12,000 miles) plus a final manufacturer attempt that fails; or 30 cumulative calendar days out of service for repairs, counting the final attempt, with at least one of those repairs inside the first year/12,000 miles.

The presumption does not replace the other requirements. Check the official conditions and procedure for your situation.

The process

You send the manufacturer written notice of the defect by certified U.S. mail and demand the repair (§ 8-20A-3(a)). The maker has 7 calendar days to name a reasonably accessible repair shop and, from when you deliver the car there, up to 14 calendar days for the final attempt. If the maker has an informal dispute program that meets federal rules, you must use it first. After that, a lawsuit in court, within 3 years of original delivery. Alabama has no state arbitration.

Who handles it: Alabama Attorney General — Consumer Complaint (no hay junta estatal de arbitraje).

Hotline: 1-800-392-5658 · 334-242-7335.

What you get if you win

Replacement with a comparable new car or a refund, at the consumer's choice (the full contract price, the nonrefundable part of extended warranties and service contracts, collateral charges such as sales tax and registration, the finance charges you paid after you first reported the defect, and incidental costs such as reasonable alternative transportation), minus a use offset: price × miles before the first report ÷ 100,000. Attorney fees can be included.

What it does not cover

Motor homes; vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 lb or more; defects from abuse, neglect or unauthorized modifications; damage or accidents after delivery; vehicles bought for resale, because the consumer is a buyer other than for resale (§ 8-20A-1(1)). The dealer cannot be sued under this law (§ 8-20A-5).

I bought used: what do I have left

More than it seems, even if it isn't the lemon law:

• The Buyers Guide (FTC). The guide states the dealer warranty. "As Is" describes that warranty; it does not by itself resolve other state-law rights or remaining manufacturer coverage. The federal rule applies in 48 states (Maine and Wisconsin have their own equivalent rules). If the sale is conducted in Spanish, the dealer must post a Spanish-language Buyers Guide.
• Remaining manufacturer warranty. Check the warranty contract and its duration and transfer conditions; vehicle age does not guarantee coverage.
• In Alabama: Alabama has no used-car lemon law. You are protected by title brands (salvage, rebuilt, Flood Vehicle, lemon law), the required notice for bought-back cars (§ 8-20A-4) and the federal Buyers Guide the dealer must post on the window, which says whether the sale is "As Is". Complaints about dealers go to the Attorney General's consumer line.